Time for the Yankees to do something

Baseball’s offseason usually heats up during the Winter Meetings. For the Yankees, maybe it will heat up the week after the Winter Meetings. Three things happened this weekend to indicate the market is opening, and the Yankees could be in a position to make a sign.

1. Zack Greinke agreed to terms with the Dodgers
The market’s only truly elite starter has signed, and that opens up everything else. The bar is now set for free agent starters, and teams that wanted Greinke but aren’t sold on the remaining options could shift to an offensive Plan B. This could be especially true for the Rangers and Josh Hamilton. With the top pitcher off the market, the path might now be clear for the top hitter. And with that, dominoes should start to fall.

2. James Shields was traded to the Royals
Rumors of a Shields for Wil Myers trade have been bouncing around for a while, and the two sides reportedly finalized the deal late last night. Wade Davis is also going to the Royals, who desperately need pitching, while other prospects are heading to the Rays who continue to stock their organization with elite young players (and young players don’t get much more elite than Myers). The Shields deal could be an indication that Greinke’s signing really has kicked the market into gear.

3. Mark Reynolds signed with the Indians
This is the one that most directly affects the Yankees. Reynolds signing with Cleveland takes him out of the mix for the Yankees, and it possibly takes Kevin Youkilis out of the mix for the Idnaisn. That could open the door for the Yankees to sign Youkilis and fill the third base opening created by Alex Rodriguez’s upcoming hip surgery. Michael Young was also traded to the Phillies over the weekend, taking another potential third baseman out of the mix.